It beggars belief that a person has to travel from Mayo to Galway to have a Covid-19 test carried out, several days before they're due to undergo surgery at University Hospital Galway.

That's according to Castlebar-based Councillor Michael Kilcoyne, who says people should be permitted to have a Covid test carried out at their nearest public hospital or HSE test centre, rather than having to travel to Galway several days before their procedure -  thereby possibly increasing their risk of contracting the virus.

Councillor Kilcoyne, who's a member of the HSE West Regional Forum, has raised the issue with the Saolta Hospital group, but says there's poor organisation between hospitals in the group.